ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, October 16, 1996 TAG: 9610160023
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: LESLIE HAGER-SMITH STAFF WRITER
For the second time in three weeks, Radford City Council went behind closed doors Monday to talk about the possibility of renovating or moving the Municipal Building and its courtrooms.
Overcrowding at the downtown building has been a long-running issue in Radford. Six years ago, a committee appointed by council found the condition of both the Municipal Building and the Public Safety Building, which houses the Police Department, to be grossly inadequate.
City Council is nearing a decision. A vote could come as soon as the council's next meeting, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, said Mayor Tom Starnes.
A consulting firm has identified six options, including off-site construction and renovations of the existing, 28-year-old building on Second Street. Estimated costs range from approximately $4 million to $7 million and the new facility would likely be completed within two to three years.
There was no action following Monday's closed-door session. The same thing happened Sept. 23 when the council went into executive session to consult on real-estate matters with the consultants and with city planners. State law allows government bodies to go behind closed doors to discuss the acquisition, sale or use of property for a public purpose.
Radford Circuit Judge Duane Mink got the 1990 space study rolling when he sent council a letter calling the court and jail facilities old, outdated and crowded. Radford's jail situation should improve in coming years via a regional jail planned to be built in Dublin.
In other action Monday, City Council:
Released $10,000 to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a preliminary study of a new recreation building. The figure represents three years' of accumulated commissions from private concessionaires using parks and recreation facilities, as well as admission fees from youth invitational basketball tournaments. Future funds from those sources will be used by the commission for capital improvements.
Unanimously approved a transaction between the city and GTE Mobilnet regarding the Monroe Terrace communications tower. The present tower stands 150 feet tall and is owned by the city. GTE will replace it with a 185-foot, three-legged self-supporting tower on an adjacent site, which is 40 feet lower than the present one. The cellular phone company will install antennas at the 150-foot level to expand cellular phone service in the area. The city will use the rest of tower, above and below that level, for emergency and utility service antennas.
GTE will own and maintain the tower for 10 years; thereafter, it will continue maintenance of the tower but pay rent to the city for use of it.
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